Water-borne vehicle on wheels



Dec. 22, 1931; P. PREISS WATER BORNE VEHICLE ON WHEELS Filed Jan. 22, 1930 i GI . Awasvrae' Patented Dec. 22, 1931 PATENT OFFICE PAUL PBEISS, OF BREMEN, GEBMIANY WAT-ER-BORNE VEHICLE ON WHEELS Application filed January 22, 1930, Serial No. 422,654, and in Germany January 23, 1929.

The present invention concerns a waterborne transportation device, the principle underlying it being that of a wheeled vehicle made to move on the water in a manner similar to that in which ordinary vehicles are made to move on land.

Transportation devices of the kind referred to are nothing new. Their movement on the water is effected in various ways, either by divers bells the opening planes of which are a ranged at-right angles tothe surface of the water or by wheels which are drumshaped hollow bodies or are closed and have air chambers affixed to their circumference. The water-borne wheeled vehicle here described belongs to the type of those propelled by hollow wheels; but it differs from those already known in that a separation has been eflected between the wheel body and the water. In order to effect this, the tread of each wheel has been fitted with chambers after the manner of a diving bell, arranged radially to the centre of each wheel. The presence of these chambers causes the formation of an air cushion surrounding each wheel body during the time it is within the water. The object of the separation thus brought about by the air cushions is to prevent a suction vortex between the wheel body and the water at the projecting chambers owing to their slanting position. Builders of vehicles for use on land or in the air also endeavor to eliminate as far as possible the suction vorteX of the air formed at the rear of such ve-' hicles when they are moving. The suction vortex of water, in connection with ships or with the wheeled water-borne vehicles or float rollers already known, is much greater than that of the air. The water-borne vehicle here described is designed in such a manner that no suction vortex can be formed by the water of the projecting chambers when the wheels are revolving, because between the wheel body and the water there is a layer of air. Moreover, the walls that form the chambers resembling diving bells and that are partly still submerged in the water can leave the water more or less in the direction of their longitudinal axis, since they occupy a position oblique to the surface of the water.

' The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention here described. The figures show:

Fig. 1 a longitudinal section of the waterborne wheeled vehicle;

I Fig. 2 a view of the ground plan;

Fig. 3 a section across the wheel shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 a wheel, and Fig. 5 a section of Fig. 4. The frame (a) is supported by the chambers (b) fitted to the wheels (0), said chambers being in shape similar to diving bells and being arranged side by side of each other along the periphery of the wheels. The wheels (0) are keyed on to shafts (d) which are aflixed "to the frame (a) by means of bearings (e). are the walls, separating the various chambers; (g) the machinery which transmits the driving power to the shafts (d) byway of the pulleys (h) (i) the non-return valves or check valves, arranged in the various chambers and sligthly pressed down by the springs (is). Finally, (Z) are the pipes conveying outside air to the chambers (b).

When the wheels are revolving, the walls (f)which form the chambersare immersed in a direction oblique to the surface of the water, so that some part of the water enters the chambers Seeing that the chambers are simultaneously filled with air and that this air is positively conveyed by them, it forms a permanent air cushion between the wheel body and the water, not only when the wheels are at rest, but also when they are in rapid or slow motion The compression of the air is greatest in the vertical medial line of the wheel. Theo-retically, the compression of the air in the chambers leaving the water is equal to that of the chambers entering it. The water compressed by the wheel body owing to the air forms a water trough (water furrow) and. its level is lowest under the vertical medial line of the wheel. Since water also possesses a certain degree of inertia, the water furrow formed near the chambers leaving the water is not re-filled immediately,provided the the vehicle is moving along fairly rapidly, so that there will be a sucking action at the wheel body which is just about to leave the water. Hence, a partial vacuum is formed in the air with which the chambers leaving the water are filled. In order to prevent the resulting suction vortexwhich would increase as the speed of the vehicle increases check valves have been fitted to the .various chambers. F These'check valves are pressed down by the compressed air as soon as the chambers immerse in the water; but as soon as a partial vacuum is formed'in the chambers leaving the water, they are opened and permit some outside air to enter by way of the pipe (Z) so that the suction vortex iscompletely eliminated.

The innovations introduced by the inven tion are: (l) the'tread of the wheel, as fitted with chambers resembling diving bells and arranged radially around a completely enclosed hollow body; v(2) the admission of outside air to the chambers by way of the check valves (i) and the pipes (Z).

Another means of setting the wheeled water-borne vehicles in motion in conformity with the principles underlying this invention consists in the conveying of compressed air to the chambers shortly before their leaving the water. The impact between the compressed air and the water, due to the former is propagated radiallytowards the centre of thewheel, i. e.,-in the direction inwhich the vehicle is moving forward. This is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, where (m) is apipe conduct- Ring :the compressed, air from the container (a) through pipe (Z). into the chambers shortly before they emerge from the-water, the flange (0) sliding along theaperture of the pipe The support adjusts the position of pipe (Z) in such. a way that the compressed air can only enter the chamber ust about to emerge from the water.

The. water-borne vehicle here described may also be re elled lay-ships: propellers,

' would otherwise function as a vacuum, with a consequent suction effect on thebody of water. 1

2. A water traveling vehicle including wheel-like supports having a peripheral series of chambers open at their outer ends, valves controlling openings at the inner ends I of the chambers and held closed by pressure from the outer ends, and means whereby air is admitted to the chambers when'the pressure from the outer ends of the chambers is air under pressure to the particular chamberleaving the water to thereby interrupt the vacuum tendency of the trapped air and thus prevent a suction vortex.

4:. A water traveling vehicle including wheel-like supports formed with a series of peripheral chambers serving as air .traps 'when submerged,- and means for admitting air. under pressure to the particular chamber leaving the water, said air being under sufficient pressure to interrupt the vacuum tendency of the trapped air and assist in the eX- pulsion of the water from the chamber to thereby add to the driving effect of the wheel-like support. 7

In testimony whereofI aflix my-signature. I

PAUL PREISS. 

